June 18, 1934 – August 11, 2018

Born in eastern Montana into a cattle ranching family, Bernie was a happy, cheerful child who grew to become a cattle rancher in his own right. Fiercely independent, Bernie chose to live on his own from the age of 15 so he could attend high school in Miles City rather than in the country. He had a lot of friends and was a good student. Bernie supported himself working weekends for several local ranchers, namely the Camerons, and cleaning out the town fish hatchery.

Winning the Miles City high school rodeo "All Around Cowboy" belt buckle in his senior year,...